Scituate residents should prepare for significant traffic disruptions over the next fortnight as the Department of Public Works (DPW) accelerates its spring paving schedule and infrastructure upgrades. DPW Director Kevin Cafferty announced that the Driftway is slated for paving on May 13 and 14, following the installation of a leveling course. Additionally, Jericho Road will undergo cold planing on May 11 and 12, with a leveling course scheduled for May 15, depending on weather conditions. Cafferty warned that these projects would result in notable commute impacts, stating, There will be significant traffic delays; we will have police details, but I ask people to please follow the detours.

The town is also racing to meet a critical May 19 deadline to clear heavy equipment and stone from the Minot area before the Memorial Day holiday. While seawall work on Oceanside Drive is expected to continue through the summer months, the secondary Minot parking lot—currently serving as a laydown area—is being prioritized for completion. Cafferty noted that all stone currently on the beach is being repurposed for the seawall. The finalization of the Minot lot, including curbing, paving, and striping, currently hinges on the delivery of a storm scepter intended to improve water discharge. Once the component arrives, crews expect to finish the work in approximately eight days.

Water infrastructure remains a major focus as construction of the new Water Treatment Plant stays on schedule. Residents can expect increased truck traffic near the site as the town takes advantage of the spring construction season. Meanwhile, waterline work continues on Central Avenue in Humarock, where crews are currently switching services to individual homes, a process expected to take four weeks before work begins on a main replacement on Route 3A. Regarding the recent town-wide cleanup, Cafferty thanked volunteers for a successful Ship Shape Day but noted that collection of the orange and green bags may take up to two weeks due to limited crews also managing pothole repairs.

Select Board Vice Chair Susan Harrison highlighted a robust community calendar for the week of May 4, emphasizing new opportunities for local engagement. The Scituate Chamber of Commerce will host a Coffee Connection at the Scituate Town Library on Tuesday morning, providing a monthly venue for business owners to collaborate. Harrison also pointed to the upcoming King Philip’s War lecture at Gar Hall on Thursday, featuring historian Jim Glinski. The town is looking very ship shape, Harrison said, reflecting on the cleanup efforts while encouraging residents to attend the Lawson Tower Mother’s Day Bell Concert on Sunday afternoon.

In the school district, students are entering a high-stakes academic period as AP and MCAS testing cycles begin this week. School Committee member Janice Lindblom reminded the community that the committee would meet Monday evening to continue its business, which recently included heavy focus on the redistricting transition to a three-building model in 2027. AP testing begins this week at Scituate High School, and MCAS testing also begins at the elementary and middle schools, Lindblom reported, also noting a Coffee with Caregivers event scheduled at Gates Middle School on May 6.

The week’s updates also included a reminder for the annual Empower Her Luminaria event at the Scituate Lighthouse, a Mother’s Day weekend tribute supporting children who have lost a parent. Community members can purchase tribute bags to be displayed at sunset at the lighthouse. Other local events include the Peony & Petunia mini-talks at Kennedy’s Country Gardens and the Untold Brewery Cycling Club ride, both scheduled for Saturday, May 9.